Tanjuro's Health Is Getting Worse

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When they arrived in town, accompanied by Kamado Tanjuro, Ryuji headed to a pawn shop. He pawned the watch he was wearing and received a sizable amount of money for it.

At first, the pawn shop owner had plans to take advantage of Ryuji, seeing him as a newcomer. However, after noticing Kamado Tanjuro's presence, he quickly gave up on that idea. The owner knew all too well about Tanjuro's strength and didn't want to risk offending him.

---

"If you have time, you're always welcome to visit our home," Kamado Tanjuro said at the inn's entrance as he prepared to leave.

"Of course," Ryuji agreed with a smile, watching Tanjuro depart before returning to the market.

On his way back, Ryuji purchased two chickens and a duck. In a secluded spot, he set the tied-up animals on the ground after ensuring no one was around. Pulling a small knife from his coat, he eyed the chickens and duck with a gleam of expectation in his eyes.

He remembered clearly the last time he had killed the black bear with an axe. A flash of white light had emerged from the bear, and he had gained 0.1 attribute points.

"If I could get attribute points from killing a black bear, I wonder if the same applies to chickens and ducks."

With that thought, Ryuji didn't hesitate. He raised the knife and swiftly dispatched the animals. As each one fell, a faint glow flickered from their bodies.

Then, a cold, mechanical voice rang in his ears:

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have gained 0.001 attribute points."

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have gained 0.001 attribute points."

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have gained 0.001 attribute points."

Though happy to have gained points, Ryuji couldn't help but frown. The attribute points from the chickens and duck were minuscule—barely one percent of what he had earned from the black bear.

"It seems the amount of attribute points depends on the strength of the creature killed," Ryuji muttered to himself.

While he didn't mind killing more chickens and ducks to farm points, the cost of livestock was still high, and with his limited funds, he couldn't afford it for long.

"I need to find a slaughterhouse."

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Five days later, Ryuji, accompanied by a local butcher, arrived at a farmer's home. A large, fat pig was held down in front of him, and the butcher handed Ryuji a machete.

Without hesitation, Ryuji struck the pig's head. The first strike didn't finish it off, and the pig struggled while the butcher worked to restrain it.

Taking a deep breath, Ryuji swung again. This time, blood splattered, and the pig's head fell, while a faint, almost imperceptible white light flashed from its body.

As expected, the familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have gained 0.03 attribute points."

Ryuji's face lit up with joy. Killing a pig earned him significantly more points than chickens and ducks. Slaughtering three pigs would be almost equivalent to the points he had gained from the black bear.

For the past few days, Ryuji had tried to find a slaughterhouse where he could harvest attribute points by killing livestock, but there wasn't one nearby. Instead, he had made arrangements with butchers in town, paying them a small sum in exchange for letting him slaughter any animals they brought in.

Over time, as he followed the butchers, slaughtering pigs, sheep, and the occasional cow, his attribute points steadily increased.

Glancing at the system template in his mind, Ryuji observed his stats:

**Name:** Ryuji

**Physique:** 0.8 (A normal adult's physique is 1.)

**Dexterity:** 1.0 (Normal adult dexterity is 1.)

**Strength:** 0.8 (Normal adult strength is 1.)

**Spirit:** 1.2 (Normal adult spirit is 1.)

**Attribute points earned:** 0.4.

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Ryuji stared at the attribute panel that had appeared before him, excitement flickering in his eyes. After a brief hesitation, he decided to allocate his points.

He increased his Physique from 0.8 to 1.0.

His Strength rose from 0.8 to 1.0.

After applying all the 0.4 attribute points he had accumulated, Ryuji felt a rush of warmth surging through his body, akin to the sensation of soaking in a hot spring. The warmth coursed through him, filling every inch of his body with a comforting glow.

This feeling was incredibly pleasant.

But as quickly as it had come, the sensation faded away, vanishing as though it had never existed. Despite the disappearance of the warmth, Ryuji felt a new vitality thrumming through his veins. His body was buzzing with energy, his senses sharper than ever before.

"So, this is what it feels like to be in peak health."

Having restored his attributes to the level of a normal adult, Ryuji immediately noticed the difference. His body was brimming with energy, an indescribable power coursing through him.

"This is only the beginning..." he murmured to himself.

Though he had merely reached the state of a normal human, Ryuji knew that with more attribute points, his physical abilities would continue to improve. He could feel it in his bones. Soon, he would surpass the limits of an ordinary human body, perhaps even reaching a level far beyond it. When that time came, he would have no trouble facing the demons of this world.

The thought made his heart race with excitement. He wanted to hunt down more pigs, more livestock—anything that could give him those precious attribute points.

Ryuji took a deep breath, forcing down the excitement bubbling inside him. He couldn't afford to lose control.

After thanking the butcher for his help, Ryuji began making his way back to the small town. As he walked, he stumbled a few times, still unaccustomed to the newfound strength in his body. But as he continued, he gradually became more adept at controlling his power.

By the time he reached the outskirts of the town, Ryuji had gained full mastery over his enhanced physique.

Just as he was about to head back to the inn for some well-deserved rest, he noticed a familiar figure pulling an ox cart in the distance. He paused, his eyes narrowing.

Sensing someone watching him, the man with the cart looked up and his face lit up with recognition. "Ryuji-san!" he called out, his voice warm and welcoming.

"Tanjuro-san! It's been a while." Ryuji quickened his pace, a smile spreading across his face.

"Yes, it has… cough, cough…"

Kamado Tanjuro's words were cut off by a violent coughing fit. Alarmed, Ryuji rushed forward.

As he got closer, Ryuji noticed how much worse Tanjuro's condition had become since their last meeting. His face was gaunt, his skin pale and sickly. He had grown even thinner, his once-strong frame now frail and weakened.

"Tanjuro-san, what happened to you?" Ryuji asked, concern etched across his face.

Tanjuro let out a weary sigh. "I don't know. My strength is leaving me more and more every day. My body… it just keeps getting weaker."

He shook his head, his voice laced with frustration and sadness. Despite visiting numerous doctors and spending a considerable amount of money, his illness had only worsened over time.

Ryuji frowned. He wanted to offer comfort, but he was no healer. He could only watch as his friend withered away, powerless to stop the inevitable.

Tanjuro, sensing Ryuji's concern, forced a smile. "Don't worry too much, Ryuji-san. There's nothing anyone can do. I just hope I'm around long enough to see my family through the tough times ahead."

The two men chatted for a while longer, with Ryuji promising to visit Tanjuro's home in a few days. After bidding his friend farewell, Ryuji watched as Tanjuro climbed onto the ox cart, his body wracked with another fit of coughs.

Tanjuro sat back on the cart with a weary smile as he watched Ryuji leave. His own body was deteriorating rapidly, but Ryuji—he seemed even healthier, more vigorous than the last time they had met.

---

**Snow**

The snowfall was getting heavier.

Ryuji trudged through the thick snow, each step sinking deep into the mountain path. He was bundled in thick clothing, bracing against the cold as he made his way forward.

Today, he was headed to visit the Kamado family, and he had brought several gifts for the occasion.

As he walked, Ryuji's thoughts wandered to Kamado Kie, Tanjirou's mother. Her graceful figure lingered in his mind, causing a slight stir in his heart. He quickly shook off the thought.

At the foot of the mountain, a house stood solitary against the encroaching dusk. An old man was standing outside, watching the fading light. When he saw Ryuji still making his way up the path, the man raised a hand in greeting.

"Young man, are you planning to go up the mountain this late?" the old man called out, pointing to the sun that was sinking behind the hills.

Ryuji glanced up at him in surprise. "Yes, I am," he replied with a nod.

The old man furrowed his brows. "It's dangerous to head up there at this hour. The night is falling quickly. Why don't you stay here for the night?"

Ryuji hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to accept the invitation.

The old man's expression became more serious. "Once night falls, the demons come out. It's not safe to travel after dark."

Ryuji's eyes widened slightly. Of course, he knew there were demons in this world. Only now did he realize who the old man was—Saburo, the one who would later warn Tanjirou about the dangers of traveling at night. Thanks to him, Tanjirou would stay the night and avoid being attacked by demons.

But even though Tanjirou had escaped that fate, his family would not be so lucky. When he returned home the next morning, his family—his mother and siblings—would be slaughtered by a demon. His sister, Nezuko, would transform into a demon herself.

Ryuji weighed his options for a moment, then decided it wasn't worth the risk.

"Thank you for your kindness. I'll take you up on that offer," Ryuji said, bowing slightly in gratitude.

"It's no trouble at all," the old man replied with a warm smile. As they walked into the house together, Saburo looked at Ryuji with a bit of surprise. "You believe in demons?" he asked. "Most people would laugh at the thought."

Ryuji gave a casual shrug. "I figured there's no harm in being cautious. Better safe than sorry if demons are real, right?"

The old man chuckled, though his expression remained grave. "Oh, they are real, all right. They come out when the sun goes down, preying on anyone unfortunate enough to be caught outside. You should never travel at night."

Ryuji nodded as they entered the house. "If demons roam the night, this world is truly dangerous."

Saburo gave him a sidelong glance and nodded. "Indeed, it is. But don't worry—there are demon slayers, warriors who hunt these creatures. They travel the land, protecting people from the demons' wrath."

"You know quite a bit about them," Ryuji remarked.

At this, Saburo's expression darkened with a hint of sorrow. Ryuji could tell that the old man had probably encountered demons before, maybe even lost loved ones to them.

From what Ryuji remembered, Saburo wasn't always alone. The old man likely had family once, but now lived as a widower. It was possible that his family had fallen victim to a demon attack, and Saburo was saved by the Demon Slayer Corps.

Ryuji speculated further that Saburo might even be part of the Demon Slayer Corps' network of supporters—non-combatants who helped the demon slayers by providing shelter or assistance after battles.

"I'll prepare a futon for you," Saburo said, snapping Ryuji out of his thoughts. "Rest here for the night, and you can leave safely in the morning."

"Thank you," Ryuji said, as the old man went to fetch the bedding.

---

That night, Ryuji rested peacefully at Saburo's house. Meanwhile, deep in the mountains, a far more somber scene was unfolding at the Kamado family's home.

A violent coughing fit echoed through the small house.

Kamado Tanjurou lay weak in bed, his wife Kie, and their children Tanjirou and Nezuko, gathered around him with worried expressions.

"Father, are you all right?" Tanjirou asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Kie knelt beside her husband, her eyes filled with worry. "Tanjurou, please don't push yourself too hard."

Despite his clear exhaustion, Tanjurou forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine," he rasped. "Tanjirou, Nezuko, it's late. You should go to bed now."

Though still worried, the children nodded and reluctantly left for their room.

Once they were gone, Tanjurou's cough worsened. Kie quickly moved to rub his back, trying to ease his pain, but he waved her away, his face etched with sadness.

"I won't be around for much longer," he whispered, his voice heavy with the weight of his thoughts. "And when I'm gone... What will you and the children do?"

"Don't say such things," Kie said, shaking her head desperately. "We'll be fine. We'll manage, somehow..."

Tanjurou closed his eyes, his heart aching for his family, knowing they faced an uncertain and dangerous future.

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(A/N:- Your power stones and reviews will help me grow)